A’s injury report: Good news for Valencia, bad news for Bassitt

Removed just 3-2/3 innings — 94 pitches — into his most recent start, a 7-3 loss to the Tigers in Detroit, Bassitt drew attention from the coaching staff due a drop in velocity. He was examined upon returning to Oakland.

Prior to Saturday’s 2-0 victory over the Houston Astros, manager Bob Melvin was told that Bassitt’s season may be over:

“He’s got a partial tear in his ulnar collateral ligament, so he’s going to go to Cincinnati to see Dr. (Tim) Kremcheck, and get a second opinion. We’ll go from there. (Tommy John Surgery) is always a possibility.”

Bassitt (0-2, 6.11 ERA) had been one of Melvin’s more reliable starters, prior to back-to-back poor starts on the A’s (13-12) most recent road trip.

As of Sunday, the team has no timetable on Bassitt’s second evaluation.

Third baseman Danny Valencia (.294/.345/.353 2016 slash), who suffered a strained left hamstring in Toronto, is on schedule for a return to action on Friday. Prior to Saturday’s game, Valencia took part in fielding drills as well as batting practice, and even some light sprints.

Said Melvin:

“Danny is out on the field doing his thing, so we expect him to be ready the first day in Baltimore. That is the day that he is able to come off (the 15-day disabled list), and we feel like he’ll be ready and in the lineup.”

Melvin added that prior to his return to big league action Valencia will be sent on a three-game minor league rehab stint.

Utility infielder Eric Sogard, who had surgery on his left knee on April 20, has seen no change to his timetable. His projected date for return is some time in late may or early June, though it is unclear whether or not he would be on the A’s roster or optioned to Triple-A Nashville upon his return.

Already on the return path, starting pitcher Henderson Alvarez made his latest start with the Double-A Stockton Ports on Saturday night.

The right-hander tossed 48 pitches over four innings. Alvarez’s fastball stayed between 90 and 93 MPH, according to Athletics Nation’s Jeremy Koo. In mixing his pitches, the former Marlin hurler also tossed an eephus, clocked at 59 MPH.

Over the four frames — which was his limit for the outing — Alvarez induced seven ground-ball outs while striking out four.

He remains on track for for a May 20 return to the Oakland roster.

Kalama Hines is SFBay’s Oakland Athletics beat writer. Follow @SFBay and @HineSight_2020 on Twitter and at SFBay.ca for full coverage of A’s baseball.